A month before my 30th birthday, I had finished both an MBA and an MFA, produced two feature movies, was asked to move to Los Angeles (from New York) to make films there, and I was single and not mingling. (I had ended a long relationship the year before). I found myself at this crossroad, ready to make some big decisions. So I started to write a list of what I had learned in my 29 years of life, things that I wanted to maintain, and things that I wanted to change. I made a list of 30 things, a thought every day for me to keep in mind that a "3" was suddenly going to crop up in my age. This is what I wrote to myself.

30 days to 30

1. Create some type of structure even if you break it2. Don't look at your phone during meals3. Know your worth but don't let your ego be the final judge4. Don't pull out money from your savings account5. Let yourself be vulnerable in love6. Lose yourself in more bookstores, museums and parks7. A good guy isn't always a good boyfriend8. Give yourself a new challenge every month or every other month9. Make your bed every morning10. "I'm too busy" isn't a good enough excuse11. Your mentors may not be in the same business and that's okay12. Take on projects not for the money but for the experience13. Do a few things for free. But keep it to a FEW things!14. Keep working with the same people15. Your friends groups may change and that's okay16. It's okay to be alone, and that's different from being lonely17. Do something unthinkable (like run a marathon!)18. Teach, share knowledge19. Never get too comfortable but you need stability20. Happiness is within, and therefore within reach21. Be absolutely honest with yourself about yourself22. Live within your means, but dream and love without barriers23. Never lose your sense of wonder (my favorite line from Sophie's World that I read in high school and always remember)24. Compete with yourself, not other people25. Make the time for your teachers and former bosses26. NYC doesn't get easy, you just know how to deal with her better27. Don't reach out to people only when you need something and always stay in touch28. Take leftovers to give away29. Live life in karma points30. Keep creating and stay creative